La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – Even if you had orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, you may realize as an adult that your smile isn’t what it used to be. And if you’ve never had orthodontic treatment you may find your smile getting even worse as you age. The good news is you’re never too old for orthodontic treatment. But what should you know before getting braces? Dr. Robert Gire of Gire Orthodontics offers his top tips for adults considering braces or aligners.

1. Orthodontics is more than just for cosmetic reasons – Crooked and misaligned teeth can be bad for your oral health because they are simply harder to keep clean. If you spend a lot of time in your dentist’s office due to decay or periodontal disease, orthodontic treatment may be able to help.
2. If you wake up each morning with pain in your jaw, neck, ear or head, your crooked teeth may be to blame. Braces straighten your teeth creating a bite that is properly aligned. If your bite isn’t properly aligned, you’re placing uneven pressure on your teeth which can cause pain in your neck, jaw, ears, and/or head.
3. There are more options than ever before to straighten your smile and Dr. Gire offers them in his offices. Together, you can choose the option that will not only offer the best results, but that will fit into your lifestyle and budget.
4. Standard metal braces aren’t what they used to be. If you’re worried about being labeled a “metal mouth,” the good news is that metal braces are smaller than ever before.
5. Some offices use heat activated archwires. These wires move the teeth more gently by using your body’s own heat to activate the archwires leading to increased comfort.
6. Metal braces may not be the prettiest option, but they generally are known to be the most reliable and the most cost-effective.
7. Clear and ceramic braces can offer the reliability of metal braces, but without the visibility. The brackets can be made of clear or tooth colored materials so they blend in better with your smile. Some offices even have archwires that match the color of your teeth.
8. Lingual braces are metal braces that go on the tongue side of your teeth, allowing you the benefits of metal braces, but without anyone being able to see them.
9. Self-ligating braces look similar to metal braces, but are tie-less because they utilize a slide system or a clip, placing less friction and allowing for a more comfortable braces experience.
10. Clear aligners offer you a way to straighten your teeth without others knowing because the aligners are made of clear plastic.
11. Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth with minimal interruption in your daily life. The aligners are removable, so you don’t have to alter your diet or oral care routine.
12. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you choose, your toothbrush will become your best friend during treatment. You’ll want to brush after every meal and snack to clear away leftover food debris to ensure your smile stays healthy and bright while wearing braces.
13. You’ll still need to visit your dentist while wearing braces. Your orthodontist is working hard to ensure your smile progresses as it should, but you’ll still need to visit your dentist to ensure your smile is healthy.
14. Be sure you receive treatment from a board certified orthodontist. This will ensure you are receiving treatment from an orthodontist who is committed to the highest levels of care and precision. There are a lot of orthodontists out there, and even dentists offering orthodontic treatment in their offices, but only a board certified orthodontist has gone the extra step to display his or her commitment to excellence.
15. It’s possible you may need to undergo jaw surgery or have a permanent tooth or two removed. The reason why orthodontic treatment happens during the younger years is that as a child you have the benefit of a jaw that is still growing. An orthodontist can help guide the jaw to ensure it grows properly and can adequately hold all of the permanent teeth. Adults don’t have that benefit and to get the smile you’ve always wanted, you may need surgery on your jaw, or may have a tooth or two removed to allow for proper alignment of your teeth.
16. Orthodontic treatment may be covered by dental insurance. If you have a dental insurance plan, be sure you check it for orthodontic coverage. Even clear aligner treatment will be covered under most orthodontic treatment plans. Dr. Gire has a financial specialist on staff who can ensure you are getting the most out of your insurance benefits.
17. If you play sports or are engaged in activities that could result in damage to your mouth, you’ll want to invest in a good mouthguard. Football, hockey, and lacrosse are the most commonly thought of sports for mouthguards but even if you play baseball or basketball, you may want to consider wearing a mouthguard. Any activity that could result in having the mouth bumped could result in injury while wearing braces.
18. You may need a few days to adjust to the braces. You may notice your speech is impaired a bit in the first few days as your tongue adjusts to how to make certain sounds, especially if you opt for clear aligners or lingual braces. And, you may notice the inside of your mouth feels sore as it gets used to the braces. This will go away in no time.
19. Braces aren’t as expensive as you may think. The cost of braces has stayed relatively the same over the decades, making it one of the best deals around. Dr. Gire offers convenient payment plans and interest free financing.
20. You won’t regret it. After you get your braces off, you’ll wonder why you waited so long! Your beautifully straight smile will not only make you happier and more confident, it will ensure you are healthier overall as well.

To learn more about the orthodontic options available to you, call Dr. Gire today at (909) 393-9911 (Chino Hills) or (562) 690-1199 (La Habra).